Paper-punch.



C. B. ALEXANDER.

PAPER PUNCH.

APPLICATION FILED JULY27pI9I2.

Patented Feb. 1, 19-16.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH $10., WASHINGTON, D. c.

CLINTON B. ALEXANDER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

PAPER-PUNCH.

Application filed July 27, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLINTON B. ALEX- ANDER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Washington, in the District o-f'Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper-Punches; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingpart of this specification, and to the figures and letters of referencemarked thereon.

This invention relates to punches for forming an aperture or a pluralityof apertures in sheets of paper to facilitate the filing of the same inmodern loose leaf binders, the objects of the invention being to providean exceedingly simple compact punching device which may, if desired, besecured to one of the backs of the loose leaf binder, without materiallyincreasing the bul: of the binder itself.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure which may bemanufactured at small cost from stock materials, by simple manipulationsand die work, whereby expensive hand fitting of the parts to secureproper cooperation of the punching members is largely dispensed with.

rinother object of the invention is to provide a punch for the purposespecified, which is not liable to be injured or thrown out of adjustmentby rough handling or treatment, to which devices of this character aresubjected in use, thus insuring the formation of clean cut openings orapertures in the sheets of paper, even after the punching device hasbeen in service for a long period.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective viewof a paper punch embodying the present improvements, said punch beingshown attached to the back leaf of a loose leaf binder; Fig. 2 is atransverse section in the plane of one of the pairs of punchingelements, with the punch member in elevation; Fig. 3 is a top plan viewof the right hand end of the device illustrated in Fig. 1, with portionsbroken away; Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional elevations corresponding toFig. 2, but showing slightly modified arrangements of the punchelements; Fig. 6 is an end elevation showing on a somewhat exaggeratedscale the formation of the base and finger plate of corrugated stock,which is thepreferred Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

Serial No. 711,840.

construction but not illustrated in the other views, as it tends toconfuse the illustration of the parts of the punch; Fig. 7 is adiarammatic plan illustrating a form of punch member adapted forperforating the sheets from the edge; Fig. 8 is a detail diagrammaticplan showing on a somewhat exaggerated scale the shape or the punch anddie or opening with which the punch cooperates in the preferred form ofdevice.

Like letters of reference in the several figures indicate the sameparts.

In constructing a punch in accordance with this invention it ispreferred to make use of readily obtainable stock materials, consistingmainly of a proper grade of sheet metal, capable of being cut and formedin suitable dies, and tempered springs or spring metal which may be cutin suitable lengths and perforated to facilitate connection with thecooperating partsthe spring or tempered metal being utilized not only asthe means for connecting the relatively movable parts, but also as thedie members with which the punch members cooperate.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A indicates the baseplate of the punch, and, as before stated, it may be made of plane sheetmetal, as in Figs. 1 to 5, but is preferably corrugated longitudinallyas shown in Fig. 6, whereby increased rigidity is secured with the useof comparatively light material. The sheet metal base is given a contourformation to suit the particular situation, where it is to be used,being preferably rectangular as shown in Fig. 1, adapting it to besecured to the back leaf B of an ordinary loose leaf binder, although itmay be mounted on a base, such, for instance, as the base G, in Figs. 4and 5, and said base may be provided with a tray 0 for the reception ofthe cuttings.

The sheet metal base A is provided with a number of projectionsextending above its upper surface and preferably formed by dies whichcut the metal partly around suitable areas, and then offset the same, togive the desired formation to the projections. Certain of the saidprojections, to wit: projections lettered D, D, and D serve as guides orgages for positioning the paper sheet to be perforated, to which end theprojections D and D face the front edge of the base A, while theprojection D is located near one end and faces the opposite I end. Allof said projections arepreferably provided with overhanging portionsbeneath which the edges of the paper will be confined when properlypositioned :for punching.

Near its rear or inner edge the base A is provided with a plurality ofinclined projections E, the inclined faces being preferablysubstantially plane, but set at an angle with relation to the base plateA, the ends of said projections, however, remaining in engagement orconnected with the base plate, as indicated at 6, whereby saidprojections will be exceedingly rigid against any tendency to upward ordownward deflection. jections E serve as the supports for the inner endsof tempered spring members F, which members are normally substantiallystraight, and attached at one end to the projections E by rivets orother suitable attaching means. They project upwardly at an angle fromthe base plate A, and at their outer orfree ends they support and areconnected by a finger plate G, permanently affixed thereon by rivets orother suitable fastening means, and adapted to be moved downwardly bypressure of the hand or fingers applied thereto.

The finger plate G and the base plate A form the supports for thecooperating punching elements, to wit: the punches and dies; thus, inthe preferred construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, and 6, thepunches H are secured to the base plate A, and the dies are formed by anaperture in the finger plate G, or, more properly by apertures in thetempered steel spring members F, which underlie the finger plate at thepunching points. Obviously the dies or apertures could be formed forcooperation with the punches H so that the cutting walls will be thewalls of the finger plate, but as above stated the preferredconstruction has the cutting walls formed by the tempered springmembers, as shown at f, in Figs. :2 and '3. A second or supplementalspring I attached at one end to each of the projections E serves as aclearer, the forward ends of said clearers I being confined under therearwardly extending projections K, at the front edge of the base plateA.

As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the punches H are secured to the fingerplateG and are adapted to be depressed to cooperate with die openings inthe base plate. As shown in Fig. 4-, the base plate isprovided with asupplemental plate M of tempered steel in which the aperture f isformed. said supplemental plate M extending back and being connected tothe projection E as before ex plained, in connection with the springplates F and I, while in Fig. 5, a separate die plate M is provided forformingthe cutting edges to cooperate with the punch. In these modifiedconstructions the clearer for freeing the sheet o paper from the punchis formed Said pro one instance by an extension F of the spring F whichis curved downwardly, as shown in Fig. i, for the purpose, and intheother instance, by a supplemental spring member F which is secured tothe finger plate, as shown in Fig. 5, it being understood, of course.that there is a construction such as above described ior each punchmember of the device.

While the punches are preferablyround to form circular perforations,slightly removed from the edge of the sheet of paper. they may be of theshape shown at H, in Fig. 7, and adapted to form apertures which openout at the edgeof the sheet, whereby'the sheet may be filed on filingdevices without being slipped into positiontrom the ends of the posts,aswill be readily understood.

In the preferred construction, the cutting faces of the punches are madewith a central valley, whereby the perforations will be formed by cutswhich start at opposite points on the face of the punch, said cutsterminating at opposite points, displaced from the starting points. Thisconstruction will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 2, l, 5and 8, in which figures the transverse valley it is well illustrated.From Fig. 8 it will also be'noted that the die opening with which thepunch cooperates is slightly elongated as shown at N in a directiontransverse to the length of the valley h, whereby a slight latitude ofmovement is permitted in a plane coincident with the plane of movementof the finger plate, thusthe parts will accommodate themselves to therelative movement and at the same time the necessity for extremeaccuracy in assembling the parts is avoided.

It will be noted that the elongation of the die opening is toward thefront and rear, while the valleys in the punches extend transversely orfrom side to side, and as a result of this arrangement it will beobserved that the initial contact of thelpunch with the paper occurs atthe points where the greatest space exists between the. punch and die,but during the initial cutting action of the punch the paper will betaut and the necessity for an accurate fit between the cutting edges isnot so important. At the sides of the aperture, however, the cuttingedges of the punch fit very accurately and consequently during the finalportion of the cutting operation, not

only is the cutting operation performed be tween accurately fitting orcooperating edges,

but the cutting edges, due to the valleys aforesaid operate with .ashearing action and will complete the cut in .a clean and effectivemanner, thus leaving'no' ragged edges and neducing the. liability of thepunchings remaiming);attached to one or the other side of the openings.

While the base plate and fingerv plates heretofore described may beplane or of smooth stock, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, it ispreferred that said parts be made of longitudinally corrugated stock, asshown on a somewhat exaggerated scale in Fig. 6, and indicated by thereference letters A and G respectively.

The rear portion 01"- the finger plate and the projections E arenormally in the same plane which is inclined to the base plate A. ll iththis construction it becomes practicable to employ springs F which arestraight, and therefore, there is no liability of error in assemblingthe parts, such as might prevent correct or accurate registration of thepunch elements. In other words, by avoiding the formation of bends inthe tempered steel spring members the accuracy and certainty with whichthe parts may be assembled is increased without increasing the expenseof manufacture.

In order t retain the paper sheet in proper position and to imparttension during the initial cutting operation, the finger plate ispreferably provided with supplemental retaining members which will yieldupwardly but are normally in position to press against the cutting facesof the punches when the finger plate is pressed downwardly. Thesemembers may conveniently take the -form oi studs or projections 0mounted or formed on the ends of a yielding strip P of spring metalsecured to the upper face of the finger plate by rivets or fastenings7). Not only do the pressure members formed by the studs and ends oi thestrip P serve to impart initial tension to the sheet, during the cuttingoperation, but the studs or projections ret in the cuttings so as toprevent them from flying about at the moment when they are severed fromthe sheet. Said studs 0 also hold the cuttings on top of the punchpoints in the final c fitting; thus, should the cutting be made at oneend of the valley before the other is completed the studs will preventthe cutting from slipping sidewise on the punch point.

The forward portion of the finger plate is, as shown, preterably bent ata slight angle with relation to the rear portion, the object being tomake the punches and-dies meet squarely or in such relation that theinitial cutting will occur simultaneously at the front and rear edges ofthe punches. The construction also prevents distortion of the plateshould the pressure not be applied centrally thereto, and tends to causeit to move down evenly and to coiiperate with the punches correctly,should the pressure be applied one end or the other.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A. paper punch embodying a substantially fiat sheet metal base platehaving projections on its upper side inclined to the plane of the base,parallel substantially straight transversely extending spring memberspermanently secured at one end to the projections, a finger platemounted on the ends oi -the spring members, and cooperating punches anddies on the base and finger plate adapted to be brought together by thedepression of the finger plate to form apertures in an in erposed sheet.

2. paper punch embodying a sheet metal base plate, parallel fiat springs.secured one end permanently to the base plate, plate extendinglongitudinally or the base plate and mounted on and connecting thespring members, cooperating punches and dies carried respectively on thebase and finger plates and adapted to be brought together by thedepression of the finger plate, and paper gages on the base plate shapedfrom the metal of said plate. I

3. A. paper punch embodying a sheet metal base plate having spacedinclined projections on its upper side, two spring members permanentlysecured at one end to each projection, extending therefrom in thegeneral direction of inclination of said projections having punchapertures formed therein, a finger plate mounted on and connecting theupper spring members and punches permanently mounted in position tocooperate with said apertures, one of each pair of said spring membersforming clearers for discharging the perforated paper from the punches.

41. A paper punch embed ng a sheet metal base plate having opposiwlyarranged projections on its upper side and located respectively near thetrout and rear edges of the plate, pairs of spring members permanentlysecured to the projections at the rear edge of the plate and one memberof" each pair having its forward end loosely confined beneaththeprojection at the front edge of the plate, a finger plate permanentlymounted on the free ends of the other members of the pair, and punchesmounted on the base plate in position to enter apertures in the springmembers and finger plates respectively.

a. A paper punch embodying a sheet metal base plate,,having upwardlyextending proj ections near its opposite ends, parallel pairs of springmembers permanently secured at their rear ends to the inner faces of therear ed 'e projections on the base plate, toe lower members of saidpairs being bowed upwardly and having their forward ends confinedloosely beneath the front edge projections of the base plate, fingerplate permanently mounted on and connecting the upper members of thepairs of spring members, there being alined apertures in the springmembers and finger plate, and punches permanently mounted on the baseplate in position to enter said apertures'to perforate a sheetinterposed between the 'members of said pairs or". spring members.

6. In a paper punch, the combination with a base and a die membermovable angularly toward and from said base, and having its apertureelongated in the plane of movement, of a punch member having its cuttingface provided with central valley extending transversely with respect tothe plane of movement cfthe die member, whereby the cutting edges areinclined in opposite direction with respect to each other.

7. In a paper punch, the combination with punch and die members movablerelatively to each other in the are of a circle, the diemember havingits aperture elongated radially with respect to the axis of movement andthe punch member having its cutting face formed with a transversecentral valley, whereby the cutting edges are caused to operate with ashearing cut and the initial. cutting is effected at the ends of theelongated aperture.

8. In a paper punch, the combination with cooperating die and punchmembers, the die member having its aperture elongated and the punchmember having its cutting face provided with a central valley extendingtransversely of the major axis of the aperture in the die member.

9. In a paper punch, the combination with cooperating, relativelymovable punch and die members, the die member having its apertureelongated and the punch member having its cutting race provided with acentral valley extending transversely of the major axis of the aperturein the die memher, and a yielding clearer surrounding the punch member.

10. In a paper punch, the combination with a longitudinally corrugatedbase plate having upwardly extending projections thereon, of a fingerplate adapted to lie normally in substantially the same plane as saidprojections, spring members connecting the finger plate and base plate,and cooperating punch and die members on the base and finger plate,substantially as described.

11. A punch for paper embodying a corrugated sheet metal base platehaving upwardly extending projections thereon, a tinger plate adapted tolie normally in substantially the same plane as said projections, flatspring members arranged in parallelism and connecting the finger andbase plates, whereby they may be moved 'toward and from each other, andcooperating punch and die members on the base and finger plates,respectively, with interposed yielding prnch clearing memberssubstantially as described. v

12. In a paper punch, the combination with a base plate having upwardlyextending projections thereon, a finger plate adapted to lie normally insubstantially the same plane as said projections, parallel flat sprmgmembers connecting the finger and base plates, cooperating punches anddies on the base and finger plates, respectively, and yleldmg pressuremembersv carried by the finger plate and cooperating with the cuttingfaces of the punch members, to hold the cutting during the punchingoperation.

CLINTON B. ALEXANDER. Witnesses:

THOMAS .DURANT, ALEXANDER S. STEWART.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. G.

